Mackenzie says she doesn't want the village to become dormant
A Port Erin Commissioner says she will always object to planning applications for new tourist accommodation in the town saying ‘homes need to be lived in’.
Hannah Mackenzie says she would like to see young families, and professionals, prioritised for empty properties to help 'rebuild' communities instead.
The local authority has recently opposed a number of applications for holiday lets.
Our Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to her:
In response the Isle of Man Government said: "Following the General Election, in 2021, the Council of Ministers identified a number of key priorities which are distilled within the Island Plan.
"In line with this wholesale reform of the current rates system and a review of local authority structures is not among the current priorities being pursued.
"Government is, however, actively addressing issues with empty properties through dedicated workstreams with the most recent report having been laid before Tynwald in July 2024.
"In parallel Business Isle of Man has recently published the draft Local Economy Strategy - based on the principle of providing residents, local authorities and businesses with the tools to drive positive change and enable them to take ownership of their local areas.
"As part of this it sets out plans for the creation of a Local Economy Fund to be accessible to local authorities and trader groups to enable them to champion a local-first approach to support improvements within their respective towns.
"Business Isle of Man are currently welcoming feedback on the draft Local Economy Strategy through an online survey and a series of direct outreach sessions scheduled across the Island, and encourage local authorities, businesses and residents to submit their views."
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